Indian airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, are facing significant hurdles in accessing slots at major airports such as Amsterdam’s Schiphol and London’s Heathrow. Despite having international flying rights granted to them by the government, these airlines are struggling to fully utilize their allocated slots. The issue has prompted Indian airlines to call for retaliatory action from authorities to ensure a level playing field.
The problem is particularly pronounced at Schiphol Airport, where Dutch flag carrier KLM operates 21 flights per week to India, while Indian carriers are limited to just 10 flights. IndiGo’s recent launch of a Mumbai-Amsterdam flight has been hindered by uncertainty over slot allocation for the winter season. The airport’s decision to cap annual flight movements at 478,000 starting in November has further reduced the probability of new slots being allocated to Indian airlines.
Similarly, Indian carriers are facing challenges in accessing slots at London’s Heathrow Airport. Despite a revised air service agreement in 2023, which increased the number of flights allowed from Indian cities to Heathrow from 56 to 70 per week, Indian airlines are struggling to secure new slots. Air India operates 31 weekly flights to Heathrow, while IndiGo has announced plans to launch new flights from October. However, the high cost of leasing or buying slots from other airlines is a significant barrier to expansion.
The Indian government is engaging with delegations from the Netherlands and the UK to resolve the issue and provide a level playing field for Indian airlines. The airlines have requested government intervention to secure new slots, which is essential for their aggressive international expansion plans. The issue has significant implications for the growth of India’s aviation sector, and the government must take swift action to address the concerns of Indian airlines.
The airports’ slot allocation policies and the high cost of leasing or buying slots are major hurdles for Indian airlines. The Dutch government’s decision to cap flight movements at Schiphol Airport has added to the challenges faced by Indian carriers. The Indian government must work with its international counterparts to resolve these issues and ensure that Indian airlines have equal access to slots at major airports. Only then can Indian airlines fully utilize their international flying rights and expand their operations to meet growing demand.